Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.
Name: Scott Mayerowitz
Occupation: Associated Press Airlines Reporter
Hometown: Glen Rock, New Jersey
Residence: New York City
Twitter: @GlobeTrotScott
Bio: Scott Mayerowitz is an airlines reporter with the Associated Press covering all aspects of aviation from airfare and fees to fuel savings to lost luggage. Prior to arriving at the AP, Mayerowitz covered travel for ABC News and oversaw the network’s online travel section. He has previously covered Wall Street and business for ABC. Before that, Mayerowitz worked at the Providence (R.I.) Journal as part of the statehouse team, following state politics and the gambling industry. Mayerowitz holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wesleyan University.
How often do you fly? Two to three times a month; half for work, half pleasure. Most flights tend to be short-haul domestic ones, so about 65,000 miles a year.
How many countries have you been to? Twenty three, but I hope to double that in next five to seven years.
How many continents have you been to? Five. I guess I can’t double that.
Favorite American city? New York, of course. But if I had to choose one I don’t live in: Portland, Ore.
Favorite international city? Buenos Aires
Least favorite country? Any that denies me a visa!
Favorite airline? I cover the airline industry. I can’t bias myself that way but I usually Tweet about my flights and you can probably figure it out.
Favorite aircraft type? I love the power and efficiency of the 777 but also have a nostalgic attachment to those old L-1011 TriStars.
Aisle or window? Window for fun, aisle for long-haul overnight flights or when working. Otherwise, I would be distracted and stare out at the horizon for hours.
Favorite airport lounge? Cathay Pacific’s The Pier in Hong Kong. I love the low-level view it provides of the bellies of all those jumbo jets.
Favorite U.S. airport? Kona International Airport. I mean, where else do they have little thatched-roof huts as gates?
Favorite international airport? Keflavik International Airport in Iceland because it is minutes away from the amazing Blue Lagoon. Why not take a soak in a thermal hot spring during a long layover?
Favorite hotel? Crater Lake Lodge in Oregon. You can’t beat the views.
Favorite cruise line? n/a
Favorite island? Hawaii’s Big Island.
Favorite fancy restaurant? Nougatine at Jean Georges in New York. They offer a $32 prix fixe lunch that is the best fancy deal in town.
Favorite hole in the wall? Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven, Conn.
Favorite travel movie(s): Lawrence of Arabia, Up in the Air, North by Northwest, Up, Lost in Translation, Before Sunrise, Midnight in Paris, Y Tu Mamá También and Airplane.
Favorite travel show(s): Globe Trekker, No Reservations, Rick Steves’ Europe, Great Hotels and Man v. Food.
Favorite travel book(s): A Walk in the Woods, Video Night in Kathmandu, Into Thin Air, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
Five things you bring on a plane? Laptop, iPhone, noise-canceling headphones, eye mask and a magazine.
What do you always seem to forget? My razor.
Favorite travel iPhone app(s): WindowSeat. It lets you track your flight (no wi-fi needed) and figure out what’s on the ground below.
Worst travel moment: Drinking too much water on a flight that ended up circling the airport during a turbulent storm. I learned staring at the seatbelt sign does not make it turn off. Luckily, the weather broke, we landed quickly and I was the first one off the plane.
What’s your dream destination? The Himalayas
Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!: Great Circle Mapper, gcmap.com. It’s just fun to plot out flights. Yes, I am an aviation geek.
Best travel tip: Pack a copy of your itinerary inside your suitcase. Baggage tags get ripped off. This way the airline can reunite you and your luggage. Also, put a small bag or pouch inside your carry-on bag. Overhead bins are so full these days that you might be forced to check it at the gate. In that case, you want to remove your valuables and carry them onto the plane in the smaller bag.
